Diamond Notes

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Former ACBL players report for spring training

February 15, 2018

Twenty former ACBL players are reporting to Major League spring training sites this week in preparation for the 2018 season. The following list includes players on the 40-man roster and non-roster invitees (NRI).

Fillmyer pitched at AA Midland this season and posted a 11-5 record in 29 starts over 149.2 innings with a 3.49 ERA. Trivino posted a 3.03 ERA and a strikeout per inning in relief at AA Midland and AAA Nashville and did not allow a home run in 68 innings.

In other news Eric Young Sr. (Rutgers, Jersey Pilots, 1987-88) was named first base coach for the Atlanta Braves and Walt Weiss (North Carolina, Teaneck Teamsters, 1983) was named bench coach for the Braves.

The Baseball Writers association of America announced that Jamie Moyer (Saint Joseph’s, Allentown Wings, 1982-83) has been named to the 2018 Hall of Fame ballot.

Moyer is one of five pitchers and 10 total players to play at least 25 seasons in the Major Leagues. Moyer posted a 269-209 record with eight different teams. He was the oldest pitcher to win a major league game and also the oldest player to record an RBI at age 49 in 2012. Moyer was a key player on the 2008 Phillies’ World Series championship team and was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2015.

ACBL and NYCBL Partnering for All-Star Showcase

October 6, 2017

Cortland, NY – The New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL) and Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League (ACBL) have partnered to create an All-Star Showcase between the two leagues. This newly formed summer classic will showcase All-Stars from both leagues beginning with the summer of 2018.

The NYCBL and ACBL are both members of the National Alliance of Summer College Baseball (NACSB). Both leagues are amongst the oldest and respected summer collegiate wooden bat leagues in the country. The ACBL began in 1967 followed by the NYCBL in 1978.

The inaugural game will take place in Syracuse, NY at the Onondaga Community College baseball complex on July 9, 2018. The NYCBL All-Stars will host the ACBL All-Stars in an action paced day to include a luncheon, home run derby and game. The NYCBL will return the trip and travel to the ACBL in the summer of 2019.

The All-Star Showcase will serve as the "official" All-Star game for both leagues.

The NYCBL consists of 12 franchises located exclusively in the Upstate New York region. The ACBL consists of 8 franchises geographically located surrounding the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.

"The ACBL is pleased to participate in this event and looks forward to playing an All-Star game with the NYCBL. This will be an excellent opportunity for our players to display their baseball skills in front of Major League scouts, said ACBL President Tom Bonekemper."

NYCBL Commissioner Joe Brown also stated. "One of our NYCBL goals was to have an inter-league All-Star game, we are excited that we were able to partner with the ACBL. This will enhance the experience and is exciting for our players to play another league, we feel this is a win-win for both leagues and Major League Baseball."

In 2017 seven former ACBL players made their Major League debuts and 108 former ACBL players have played in the Major Leagues including players such as Craig Biggio, Jamie Moyer and Frank Viola.

The NYCBL had numerous former players on Major League rosters in 2017. From the likes of J.D. Martinez, Rajai Davis, Hunter Pence, Mike Fiers, Jason Motte and Tim Locastro. The league has also had great success over the years throughout Major League Baseball. All-Stars Brad Lidge and Tim Hudson along with Gold Glover Kirt Manwaring, Perfect Game Pitcher Dallas Braden along with other notable names like Clay Bellinger, Jeremy Accardo and Tim Naehring all played in the NYCBL.

RHP Matt Swarmer (Kutztown, Allentown Railers, 2014-15) was promoted to the Chicago Cubs AAA affiliate, the Iowa Cubs, and tossed seven shutout innings in a 4-0 win over the Nashville Sounds on Saturday.

Swarmer, the top prospect in the ACBL for 2015, allowed only five hits with eight strikeouts and one base on balls.

Swarmer, a 19th round selection in the 2016 draft, has moved up quickly in the Cubs system this season. He posted a 3-0 record with a 1.07 WHIP for Eugene in the short season Northwest League and then moved up to South Bend of the Midwest League prior to the big jump to the AAA Pacific Coast League.